– Emma Matcham, OSU Extension Forage Specialist
After frost, sudangrass is a health risk to ruminants.
While most of the state continues to have moderate fall temperatures, there are a few regions with a risk of frost. This means it’s time for our annual sorghum species prussic acid reminders.
What is prussic acid?
Prussic acid is a cyanide-containing compound that forms from a compound called dhurrin, which is part of the defense mechanisms found in sorghum species. When cells are damaged from frost (or occasionally other stressors like sudden high insect feeding), chemical reactions in the plant cells cause dhurrin to convert into prussic acid. When mammals consume prussic acid, it can disrupt oxygen transfer and may be toxic even at . . .
Continue reading Managing Sorghum Species During Fall Frosts